Alienware 15 User manual

Alienware 15

Service Manual

Computer Model: Alienware 15

Regulatory Model: P42F

Regulatory Type: P42F001

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use

of your computer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to

hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage,

personal injury, or death.

international copyright and intellectual property laws. Dell

™

and the Dell logo are trademarks of

Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned

herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

2015 - 01

Rev. A00

Contents

Before working inside your computer........................ 12

Before you begin ............................................................................................... 12

Safety instructions............................................................................................ 12

Recommended tools..........................................................................................14

After working inside your computer........................... 15

Removing the base panel................................................. 16

Procedure...........................................................................................................16

Replacing the base panel..................................................19

Procedure...........................................................................................................19

Removing the memory modules..................................20

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................20

Procedure..........................................................................................................20

Replacing the memory modules...................................22

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 22

Post-requisites..................................................................................................23

Removing the solid-state drives..................................24

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................24

Procedure..........................................................................................................24

Replacing the solid-state drives...................................26

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 26

Post-requisites..................................................................................................26

Removing the hard drive.................................................. 27

Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 27

Procedure..........................................................................................................28

Replacing the hard drive.................................................. 32

Procedure..........................................................................................................32

Post-requisites..................................................................................................32

Removing the wireless card........................................... 33

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................33

Procedure..........................................................................................................33

Replacing the wireless card............................................35

Procedure..........................................................................................................35

Post-requisites..................................................................................................35

Removing the palm rest................................................... 36

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................36

Procedure..........................................................................................................36

Replacing the palm rest....................................................43

Procedure..........................................................................................................43

Post-requisites..................................................................................................43

Removing the touch pad..................................................44

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................44

Procedure..........................................................................................................44

Replacing the touch pad.................................................. 48

Procedure..........................................................................................................48

Post-requisites................................................................................................. 48

Removing the keyboard...................................................49

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................49

Procedure..........................................................................................................49

Replacing the keyboard....................................................55

Procedure..........................................................................................................55

Post-requisites..................................................................................................55

Removing the power-button board............................ 56

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................56

Procedure..........................................................................................................56

Replacing the power-button board.............................59

Procedure..........................................................................................................59

Post-requisites..................................................................................................59

Removing the status-light board................................ 60

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................60

Procedure...........................................................................................................61

Replacing the status-light board................................. 63

Procedure..........................................................................................................63

Post-requisites..................................................................................................63

Removing the I/O board....................................................64

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................64

Procedure..........................................................................................................64

Replacing the I/O board.................................................... 66

Procedure..........................................................................................................66

Post-requisites..................................................................................................66

Removing the speakers.................................................... 67

Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 67

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 67

Replacing the speakers.................................................... 70

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 70

Post-requisites..................................................................................................70

Removing the front AlienFX LED boards....................71

Prerequisites...................................................................................................... 71

Procedure........................................................................................................... 71

Replacing the front AlienFX LED board..................... 73

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 73

Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 73

Removing the hinge covers............................................ 74

Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 74

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 74

Replacing the hinge covers.............................................76

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 76

Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 76

Removing the display assembly................................... 77

Prerequisites......................................................................................................77

Procedure...........................................................................................................77

Replacing the display assembly.................................... 81

Procedure...........................................................................................................81

Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 81

Removing the display bezel........................................... 83

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................83

Procedure..........................................................................................................83

Replacing the display bezel............................................ 87

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 87

Post-requisites..................................................................................................87

Removing the display panel........................................... 88

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................88

Procedure..........................................................................................................88

Replacing the display panel.............................................91

Procedure...........................................................................................................91

Post-requisites.................................................................................................. 91

Removing the display hinges.........................................92

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................92

Procedure..........................................................................................................92

Replacing the display hinges......................................... 94

Procedure..........................................................................................................94

Post-requisites..................................................................................................94

Removing the display back-cover............................... 95

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................95

Procedure..........................................................................................................95

Replacing the display back-cover................................98

Procedure..........................................................................................................98

Post-requisites................................................................................................. 98

Removing the camera....................................................... 99

Prerequisites.....................................................................................................99

Procedure........................................................................................................100

Replacing the camera...................................................... 102

Procedure........................................................................................................ 102

Post-requisites................................................................................................102

Removing the Alienware AlienHead LED board.. 103

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 103

Procedure........................................................................................................ 103

Replacing the Alienware AlienHead LED board...106

Procedure........................................................................................................ 106

Post-requisites................................................................................................106

Removing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs............ 107

Prerequisites....................................................................................................107

Procedure........................................................................................................ 108

Replacing the display-panel AlienFX LEDs............. 110

Procedure......................................................................................................... 110

Post-requisites.................................................................................................110

Removing the logo board.................................................111

Prerequisites..................................................................................................... 111

Procedure.......................................................................................................... 111

Replacing the logo board................................................ 113

Procedure......................................................................................................... 113

Post-requisites.................................................................................................113

Removing the system board......................................... 114

Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 114

Procedure......................................................................................................... 114

Replacing the system board..........................................118

Procedure......................................................................................................... 118

Post-requisites.................................................................................................119

Removing the heat-sink assembly............................120

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 120

Procedure........................................................................................................ 120

Replacing the heat-sink assembly............................ 122

Procedure.........................................................................................................122

Post-requisites................................................................................................ 122

Removing the fans.............................................................123

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 123

Procedure........................................................................................................ 123

Replacing the fans............................................................. 125

Procedure........................................................................................................ 125

Post-requisites................................................................................................ 125

Removing the power-adapter port............................126

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 126

Procedure........................................................................................................ 126

Replacing the power-adapter port............................ 128

Procedure........................................................................................................ 128

Post-requisites................................................................................................ 128

Removing the coin-cell battery...................................129

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 129

Procedure........................................................................................................ 129

Replacing the coin-cell battery.................................... 131

Procedure......................................................................................................... 131

Post-requisites.................................................................................................131

Removing the battery......................................................132

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 132

Procedure........................................................................................................ 132

Replacing the battery...................................................... 135

Procedure........................................................................................................ 135

Post-requisites................................................................................................ 135

Removing the computer base..................................... 136

Prerequisites................................................................................................... 136

Procedure........................................................................................................ 136

Replacing the computer base......................................138

Procedure........................................................................................................ 138

Post-requisites................................................................................................138

BIOS setup program..........................................................139

Overview..........................................................................................................139

Entering BIOS setup program......................................................................... 139

BIOS setup program options.....................................................................139

Boot sequence.................................................................................................145

Boot options.............................................................................................. 145

Changing boot sequence for the current boot......................................... 146

Changing boot sequence for future boots................................................146

Flashing the BIOS............................................................... 148

Getting help and contacting Alienware.................. 149

Self-help resources..........................................................................................149

Contacting Alienware......................................................................................149

Before working inside your

computer

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards,

handle them by their edges and avoid touching pins and

contacts.

NOTE: The images in this document may differ from your computer

depending on the configuration you ordered.

Before you begin

1 Save and close all open files and exit all open applications.

2 Shut down your computer.

– Windows 8.1: On the Start screen, click or tap the power icon →

Shut down.

– Windows 7: Click or tap Start → Shut down.

NOTE: If you are using a different operating system, see the

documentation of your operating system for shut-down instructions.

3 Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from their electrical

outlets.

4 Disconnect all cables such as telephone cables, network cables and so on,

from your computer.

5 Disconnect all attached devices and peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse,

monitor, and so on, from your computer.

6 Remove any media card and optical disc from your computer, if applicable.

Safety instructions

Use the following safety guidelines to protect your computer from potential

damage and ensure your personal safety.

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the

safety information that shipped with your computer. For

more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance

home page at dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

12

WARNING: Disconnect all power sources before opening the

computer cover or panels. After you finish working inside

the computer, replace all covers, panels, and screws before

connecting to the power source.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the computer, make sure that

the work surface is flat and clean.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the components and cards,

handle them by their edges and avoid touching pins and

contacts.

CAUTION: You should only perform troubleshooting and

repairs as authorized or directed by the Dell technical

assistance team. Damage due to servicing that is not

authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. See the

safety instructions that shipped with the product or at

dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

CAUTION: Before touching anything inside your computer,

ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface,

such as the metal at the back of the computer. While you

work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to

dissipate static electricity, which could harm internal

components.

CAUTION: When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector

or on its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have

connectors with locking tabs or thumb-screws that you

must disengage before disconnecting the cable. When

disconnecting cables, keep them evenly aligned to avoid

bending any connector pins. When connecting cables, make

sure that the ports and connectors are correctly oriented

and aligned.

CAUTION: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the

cable from your computer and then unplug the cable from

the network device.

CAUTION: Press and eject any installed card from the media-

card reader.

13

Recommended tools

The procedures in this document may require the following tools:

• Philips screwdriver

• Plastic scribe

14

After working inside your

computer

CAUTION: Leaving stray or loose screws inside your

computer may severely damage your computer.

1 Replace all screws and make sure that no stray screws remain inside your

computer.

2 Connect any external devices, peripherals, and cables you removed before

working on your computer.

3 Replace any media cards, discs, and any other parts that you removed

before working on your computer.

4 Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.

5 Turn on your computer.

15

Removing the base panel

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the

safety information that shipped with your computer and

follow the steps in

Before working inside your computer.

After working inside your computer, follow the instructions

in After working inside your computer. For more safety best

practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at

dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

Procedure

1 Close the display and turn the computer over.

2 Loosen the captive screws that secure the base panel to the computer

base.

3 Using a plastic scribe, gently release the tabs that secure the base panel to

the computer base.

16

4 Slide and remove the base panel from the computer base.

1 computer base 2 captive screws (2)

3 base panel 4 plastic scribe

17

5 Disconnect the battery cable from the system board.

1 battery cable

6 Turn the computer over and open the display as far as possible.

7 Press and hold the power button for 4 seconds to ground the system

board.

18

Replacing the base panel

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the

safety information that shipped with your computer and

follow the steps in

Before working inside your computer.

After working inside your computer, follow the instructions

in After working inside your computer. For more safety best

practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at

dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

Procedure

1 Close the display and turn the computer over.

2 Connect the battery cable to the system board.

3 Slide the tabs on the base panel into the slots on the computer base and

snap the base panel into place.

4 Tighten the captive screws that secure the base panel to the computer

base.

19

Removing the memory

modules

WARNING: Before working inside your computer, read the

safety information that shipped with your computer and

follow the steps in

Before working inside your computer.

After working inside your computer, follow the instructions

in After working inside your computer. For more safety best

practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at

dell.com/regulatory_compliance.

Prerequisites

Remove the base panel.

Procedure

1 Using your fingertips, carefully spread apart the securing clips on each end

of the memory-module slot until the memory module pops up.

20

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Alienware 15 User manual

Alienware 15 User manual

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